Meet the newly ordained permanent deacons
Deacon Ronald Barnes Assigned to St. Stephen’s Church, Phoenix, and Holy Trinity, Fulton About 10 years ago, Dc. Ron had the feeling that something was missing from his life. He was considering going back to school when a “wonderful lady from church” asked him if he...
Answering the call to serve
By Tami S. Scott Editor It was standing room only at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. After seven years of intensive spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral preparation, 10 men were ceremoniously ordained April 25 to the permanent diaconate. Each...
In memoriam Sister Barbara Krick, CSJ
Sister Barbara Krick, formerly Sister Janet Emily, died peacefully at the Teresian House in Albany, New York, on April 26, 2026. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 71 years. Born in Syracuse, she was the daughter of Leonard and Katherine Krick....
Catholic Charities CEO Kerry Alys Robinson to give Le Moyne College’s 2026 Commencement Address
Five to receive honorary degrees for 2026 Commencement By Joe Della Posta Director of College and Presidential Communications, Le Moyne College Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), will deliver the commencement address at Le Moyne...
‘Be the answer to someone’s prayer’
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, about a father and his two sons. One day, one of the sons decides that he is ready for his inheritance. His father gives it to him, and he sets out into the...
Answering the call to serve
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was standing-room-only during the April 25 Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon. Photos | Chuck Wainwright By Tami S. Scott Editor It was standing room only at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. After...
Bringing the presence of Christ to others
Father John Manno accepts Road to Emmaus Ministry Award from Executive Director Sheila Austin. Fr. John Manno recognized for bringing hope and support to poorest neighborhoods By: Eileen Jevis Staff writer The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:29) is the story of Jesus walking...
Walking with couples and ‘filling the gaps’ in accompaniment
Updated diocesan marriage preparation framework is rolled out to parishes By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Bishop Douglas J. Lucia’s third pastoral letter, “In You All Find Their Home,” published on Ash Wednesday of this year, introduced the updated “Framework for...
Bishop Lucia announces assignments for newly ordained deacons
Deacon Ronald M. Barnes has been assigned to St. Stephen’s Church, Phoenix, NY, and Holy Trinity, Fulton, NY. Deacon Kurt R. Behrenfeld has been assigned to St. Mary’s and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Cortland, NY; St. Margaret’s Church, Homer, NY; St....
Pope Leo to new priests: Keep Church door open, don’t be an obstacle
By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News (OSV News) — Priests are called each day to leave the doors of the Church open to a “suffering humanity” in need and not “be an obstacle to those who wish to enter,” Pope Leo XIV told 10 deacons just...
Recital at St. Thomas More Chapel honors Fr. Gerry Waterman
Above: Father Gerry Waterman, OFM conv. Beloved priest completes his ministry at Syracuse University By Eileen Jevis Staff writer On Palm Sunday, Syracuse University sponsored a recital at the campus’s St. Thomas More Chapel for the dedication of the new Greg Harrold...
Basilica unveils new Easter mural
Above: The new mural, painted on canvas, depicts the same scenes as the original mural. Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright By Tami S. Scott Editor If you attended Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Palm Sunday or soon thereafter, you may have noticed...
Working for ‘God’s kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven’
100th World Mission Sunday to be celebrated later this year on October 18 By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer Retired priest Father Peter Major, MHM, now resides in Skaneateles, where he was born and raised. Many decades of his life in between were spent in faraway...
Gospel message brings freedom, hope, pope says at final Mass in Equatorial Guinea
By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News (OSV News) — On his last day in Equatorial Guinea, Pope Leo XIV reminded Catholics in the country to seek strength, justice and hope from the Gospel and the sacraments. “If you are oppressed by injustice, he is justice; if...
Good Friday Witness Walk in Endicott: 30 years strong
Above: Participants in the Witness Walk, held on Good Friday, April 3, started the walk in front of St. Ambrose Church in Endicott. Photos by Kathy Hamilton By Connie McKinney Contributing writer Joyce and Chris Carlsen never miss the Witness Walk held on the streets...
‘I’m ready to go’
Above: Cornelius Deep at his 2025 ordination to the transitional diaconate. Sun archives. Deacon Cornelius Deep prepares for ordination to the priesthood By Eileen Jevis Staff Writer One month before his ordination to the priesthood, Deacon Cornelius Deep sat down...
Catholic Charities Diocese of Syracuse to host national community service storytelling initiative May 1
Above: The People of Hope Museum is an immersive, interactive experience. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse is joining Catholic Charities agencies across the United States to host “People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” a...
Broome County schools mark third year competing in OM World Finals competition
By Julie Kumpon Lamuraglia Principal, St. John the Evangelist Elementary School The Catholic Schools of Broome County have been active participants in Odyssey of the Mind for many years, with this year’s teams representing Seton Catholic Central, St. James School, and...
Pope Leo praises ceasefire as ‘genuine hope,’ presses for dialogue, peace
By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV welcomed the newly announced ceasefire in the Middle East as “a sign of genuine hope” after what he described as “hours of extreme tension,” while urging a return to negotiations and...
It’s ticket time!
The Knights of Columbus Easter Raffle is underway in Camden The Twelve Eggs of Easter Raffle is underway once again, and the annual fundraiser is sponsored by The Knights of Columbus local council #16943. For just $5, every ticket provides 12 chances to win. Prize...
In memoriam: Father Gregory G. McPhee, Maryknoll missioner to Bolivia
Father Gregory G. McPhee died on February 24, 2026. Father McPhee was 55 years old and a Maryknoll priest for five years. Gregory Gerard McPhee was born on May 4, 1970, in Tallahassee, Fla., the eldest of four children of Gerard and Carol McPhee. His family moved to...
‘Trust in His strength’
Nearly 600 attendees from around the Diocese of Syracuse and beyond filled the gym at Bishop Ludden-Grimes Jr./Sr. High School. Sun photographs | Chuck Wainwright Ignite Conference once again empowers men of the Syracuse Diocese By Deacon Tom Cuskey Contributing...
DPC speakers focus on parish renewal, synodality
(Above) One of many slides shown during Fr. Seibt’s presentation. Sun photo | Tami S. Scott By Elizabeth Landry Staff writer The latest meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) took place on the morning of March 7 in Yeazel Hall at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt....
Climbing towards Jesus with Mary
Experiments in Catholicism By Emily E Long Contributing writer On the Tuesday before Lent, as I was stuffing my face with chips and dip, an informal office Fat Tuesday tradition, I asked, “Is it weird that I’m a little excited for Lent?” My coworkers looked at me like...
A sacred start to Holy Week
Catholics around the world gathered in their parishes on March 29 for Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the holiest week of the year. Below are moments from this morning’s Masses at Holy Family in Camillus and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Photo...
The Paschal hope of Ordinary Time
By Lucia A. Silecchia A number of springs ago, I came to the Easter Vigil Mass with the joyous anticipation of Easter muted a bit. That year, my Dad was journeying through what I knew — but did not want to believe — were the final months of his earthly life. I came to...
Trust and surrender in a broken world
A knight’s perspective By Mike Langlois Contributing writer As Catholics, the practice of trusting and surrendering to Jesus, in accordance with His teachings and examples, is fundamental to aligning with God’s will. Implementing these principles can be difficult...Chrism Mass
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse was filled with the faithful on Tuesday, March 31, for the annual Chrism Mass and the Blessing of the Oils and Consecration of the Chrism. Sun photos | Chuck Wainwright...
A parish united in prayer: Vigil for the fallen away
Hundreds of votive candles are placed before the altar, each one representing a person being entrusted to Christ. Submitted photo By Father Jason Hage, pastor of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, New Hartford & Utica For 48 hours this Lent, Mary, Mother of Our...
